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We can understand the insatiable appetite in the business world to always grasp after additional profits. But what does it take for the Christian to be satisfied and content with how the Lord has blessed him in the realm of material possessions? Shelter and physical sustenance – the “daily bread” of the Lord’s Prayer – are taken for granted as we petition the Lord for a wide range of needs and wants. There is nothing wrong with bringing these requests before our Heavenly Father as long as our attitude is one of contentment.

This was one of my Dad’s character strengths – but his circumstances did not vary much from a fairly comfortable standard of living. The Apostle Paul was able to testify to such a perspective in a wide range of living conditions – whether he was experiencing scarcity or abundance – his heart of thankfulness never changed – “for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” (Philippians 4:11)

Mount Vernon Nazarene University 2004 Baccalaureate Sermon – The Illusiveness of Contentment:

  • contentment can be illusive

  • barriers to contentment

  • pointing to thankfulness as the secret of contentment

My sermon outline series on 1 Timothy 6:6-10 — Contentment Protects Against the Snares of Materialism

(:6) Contentment contributes greatly towards godliness

(:7-8) Contentment embraces God’s plan for our success

(:9-10) Materialism opens one up to a wide range of destructive temptations